Foreword by Minister of Health, Malaysia

On behalf of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, it gives me great pleasure to welcome delegates and exhibitors to Malaysia and the 1st World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012.

The 1st World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012 is timely especially with the demographic transition the world is experiencing, in regards to its ageing population especially in this region.

As part of our objectives to curb the rise of non-communicable diseases with focus on healthy living, we are in full support of the 1st World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012 as it will bring together international and local renowned experts in healthy ageing to gather and deliberate on all aspects of health issues - prevention and management and the latest research in both mainstream and complementary & alternative medicines.

Our commitment to ensure Malaysia is constantly abreast with the technological advances of facilities, services and personnel is testament to our efforts in making Malaysia the preferred health tourism destination. Malaysia will provide affordable healthcare solutions, high quality services and standards coupled with friendly, highly qualified and skilled healthcare professionals.

I am sure all attendees will greatly benefit from the networking opportunities and knowledge exchange of this Congress and we look forward to welcoming you.

Thank you.

Dato' Sri Liow Tiong LaiMinister of Health, Malaysia

Foreword by Minister of Tourism, Malaysia

My heartiest congratulations to the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society for its effort and initiative in organising the 1st World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012.

Malaysia is indeed well-poised to tap into the growing potential of the high-yield and ever-expanding business tourism industry. Our strategic location, award-winning convention facilities, economic stability and the best of multi-cultural hospitality make the country a top-of-mind destination for business events.

Under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), Malaysia targets to increase business tourism arrivals from five percent to eight percent of the overall tourist arrivals. This translates to an increase from 1.2 million to 2.9 million arrivals by the year 2020.

As part of our objectives to enhance and promote Malaysia as the choice destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions, we are proud to lend our support to the 1st World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012. The inaugural congress will see the convergence of renowned speakers and delegates from around the world to our shores and will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange on healthy ageing.

Besides taking advantage of the networking and learning opportunities during the congress, I hope the speakers and delegates will take this opportunity to experience the many facets of our country. We are proud of our rich cultural heritage, our million-year-old rainforests, beautiful islands and modern cities. We have a great wealth of culture, cuisine, festivals and exciting events all year round, offering you an exciting time in Malaysia.

On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, I welcome you to Malaysia for a successful congress and may all of you have a pleasant stay in Malaysia.

MALAYSIA TRULY ASIA

Thank you.

Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen YenMinister of Tourism, Malaysia

Foreword by World Health Organization

Populations around the world are rapidly ageing. Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 will double from less than 11% to 22%, and the total number of people aged 60 years and over is expected to increase from 605 million to almost 2 billion.

This "demographic transition" is also occurring very quickly, particularly in less developed countries. For example, it will take countries like China and Thailand less than a quarter as long as it took France for the proportion of their population over age 60 to double from 7 to 14%. Already, the majority of older people live in the less developed world, and, by 2050, more than 80% will live in what are currently low- and middle-income countries.

Older people continue to play an invaluable role in all societies - as leaders, workers, caregivers and volunteers. However, the rapid ageing of populations also presents a number of challenges for both developed and developing countries. Healthy ageing needs to be at the core of our response to these challenges. Not only is health a fundamental right of all, if an older person is in poor health, many of their financial resources will be diverted to health care costs. For many older people, and often for their families, a major health event such as a stroke can place them at risk of a rapid descent to poverty. On the other hand, if a person can retain good health into older age, there is little to distinguish them from a younger adult. In many senses, health makes age irrelevant.

Ageing is not merely a biological process; it also encompasses emotional, social and economic issues. Healthy ageing implies that as we age, we can continue to actively participate in family, social, economic, cultural, and civic affairs. Nor is healthy ageing something that can be left until the last years of life. Events in early childhood, adolescence and adulthood also impact our health in later life, and we need to age healthily even from childhood.

We congratulate the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society for taking on the mantle of leadership and spearheading the first World Congress on Healthy Ageing in 2012. This forum is an ideal venue for initiating bold and constructive discussions on healthy ageing. For this is a challenge and an opportunity that can only be solved globally, and we can all learn from each other's local or regional experiences.

The World Health Organization is very pleased to be the co-sponsor for the World Congress. We would like to extend our warmest welcome to all participants throughout the world and look forward to a very productive and profitable time during this 1st World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr. John BeardMBBS PhDDirector Department of Ageing and Life Course, WHO
and Director (a.i.) Department of Gender, Women and Health, WHO

Welcome Message by Organising Chairman

A Warm Welcome to the First World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012 Website.

The Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society has undertaken the task of
organizing the very first World Congress on Healthy Ageing on 19-22
March 2012 in Kuala Lumpur. The theme of this World Congress is"Evolution: Holistic Ageing in an Age of Change".

As the world population ages in the coming decades of the new
millennium, we predict an imminent crisis in elderly care. Medical and
technological advances promise almost miraculous cures for many of the
ailments that have plagued us for millennia but burgeoning medical
care costs threaten to drown public health expenditures in red ink and
contribute to civil unrest across the globe.

Now, more than ever, the world needs to deal with the approaching
healthcare crisis. We believe that promotion of healthy living and
primary prevention of disease will accomplish the urgent need for a
solution to this imminent global threat and that we need to be
proactive in dealing with the coming crisis.

The World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012 is a global forum for
internationally renowned experts from conventional and complementary
medicine to focus on addressing healthy ageing issues in the new
millennium. Healthy ageing is approached from many aspects including
societal/policy level approaches, physical, emotional & psychological
as well as spiritual.

The First World Congress in Healthy Ageing 2012 is targeted to all
conventional and complementary medical practitioners, allied health
providers and others with interests in healthy ageing. We hope that
this international convention will provide both valuable learning
experience and a forum to interact with experts and other participants.

Welcome Message by Scientific Chairman

Dear Delegates,

For the first time, a World Congress on Healthy Ageing will be held in Asia, representing a unique occasion for Malaysians to host colleagues from around the world. The general theme of the congress "Evolution: Holistic Ageing in an Age of Change" is self-explanatory. The scientific programme will offer a broad and interdisciplinary spectrum of current research work in Healthy Ageing.

I expect that, in the congress, many healthcare professionals, researchers, clinicians, and individuals from industries and other relevant sectors will get together from all around the world to contribute to the body of knowledge in Healthy Ageing. Your participation and support will no doubt stimulate collaboration and also establish a network to foster camaraderie and goodwill amongst the delegates from the various nations.

During the last 2 years in our planning for the congress, many colleagues and friends internationally, who form our current International Advisory Panel, have already offered guidance and support and we will continue to rely on your insights and inputs. We will spare no effort in delivering an exciting and productive programme which would consist of keynote address and plenary lectures from leaders in the fields of Healthy Ageing and medicine, who will present the latest knowledge and innovative thinking covering a wide range of important disciplines and topics.

The conference programme will also consist of many concurrent symposia, workshops and invited sessions of the latest significant findings and developments in all the major fields of Healthy Ageing. We encourage an interactive structure that brings participants closer, provides them with an opportunity to exchange their experiences and skills for future collaborative research.

We encourage you to share your research work with others by submitting a paper by 1st December, 2011. If you are interested in organizing a session, you can contact the scientific committee. Submitted papers will be peer reviewed. Accepted high quality papers will be presented in oral and poster sessions and will appear in the Conference Proceedings.

In addition to the scientific work, many social activities will provide opportunities to make friends, to experience Malaysian hospitality and to enjoy mouthwatering multicultural cuisine.

Please visit our website regularly for updates and register as early as possible.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 1st World Congress on Healthy Ageing 2012 in sunny Malaysia.

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